CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
With the NFL draft just weeks away, I thought I would take a look at the first QB drafted in each of the past 10 years and whether or not the pick worked out or not:
2024: Caleb Wiliams, Chicago Bears
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 25: (L-R) Caleb Williams poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Caleb showed off his skills in 2024 and should take the next step forward in 2025/2026.
2023: Bryce Young, Carolin Panthers
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – APRIL 27: (L-R) Bryce Young poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 27, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
It looked like this pick was going to be a bust, but Young finished the 2024/2025 season strong and there is optimism around him.
2022: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett, shown throwing a pass for his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, during the 2023 season. The Eagles traded for Pickett on March 15, 2024.
This pick was a complete bust.
2021: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 19: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at TIAA Bank Field on December 19, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Things started really well for Lawrence and the Jags, but lately he hasn’t lived up to the hype or the big contract.
2020: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after a first down during the third quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 26, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
He is one of the best QBs in the league.
2019: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 31: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
It hasn’t been all bad for Murray, but he hasn’t lived up to the hype and this might be his last year to prove that he should be the guy.
2018: Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Oct 28, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is pressured by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) in the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 33-18. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Baker was okay in Cleveland, but he has really found himself since joining the Bucs a couple of years ago.
2017: Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
Apr 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Mitchell Trubisky (North Carolina) poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (right) as he is selected as the number 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
It started out fine for Trubisky, but when downhill after that.
2016: Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jared Goff (California) greets NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
He took them to a Super Bowl and is now enjoying plenty of success in Detroit.
2015: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nov 18, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter greets Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) after the Bucs touchdown in the 3rd quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
He has shown flashes of brilliance anywhere he has played, but he still makes too many mistakes.
